The Pearl Jewelry Blog

If you’re in search of pearl necklace jewelry, the most likely jewels you’ll find are cultured pearls. Natural pearls are an occurrence that doesn’t happen every day whereas cultured pearls are easily done because with human intervention, the pearls grow at a fast rate. 

When you’re looking for pearl necklace jewelry there are many types on the market. There are varied types of pearls, different colors, different necklace configurations and lengths. Pearls can happen alone or can be among other precious gems and adorned with silver, gold or white gold. 

There are various necklace lengths including: collar, choker, princess, matinee, opera and rope ranging from short to very long. Pearls can be done in single or multiple strands and can come in many different colors. 

Some people purchase their pearls at a jewelry store but many people now buy them online. There are a large number of online sources for just about any type of jewel you are looking for and there are many places that will sell you pearl necklaces, pearl rings, stud earrings, drop earrings, pearl bracelets or other accessories with pearls in them such as broaches or hair barrettes. 

How do you tell if a pearl is real or fake? There are many types of pearls on the market but a real pearl will feel heavier than a painted bead and will have a bumpier or faintly gritty surface. 

When you are trying to decide who to buy your pearl necklace or other jewelry from, look for a website that shares information about pearls, advises you of their grading and that offer you a money back guarantee. Because buying online doesn’t allow you to examine what you are buying, it’s imperative that the supplier allows you to examine your purchase after you receive it and have a period of time to decide whether or not you want to keep it. 

Are you thinking about buying a pearl necklace for someone else, this is a lovely gift. Many girls get their first strand of pearls when they become women. Many women receive pearls as wedding gifts or anniversary gifts. Buying matching earrings or a rink or bracelet is also a lovely gift for mother’s day, Valentine’s Day or for a wedding gift. Pearls also make a lovely bridal party gift. If you get a good quality piece of pearl jewelry it can be something that stays in your family for many generations to come. 

If you are a lover of pearls you can even join a registry so that you can acquire the jewels you are interested in. Some women have a favorite such as a pink pearl, a black pearl or a specific style like Akoya, south sea or a particular shape such as semi baroque. Joining a gift registry is a great idea because you can tell your significant other as well as your parents and close relatives about the registry when they ask you what you’d like for a special occasion gift. Whether you want one special necklace or want to collect pearl necklace jewelry, there are many different types and styles of pearls to choose from. 

Black pearls can be very exotic and luxurious looking. They are not as typical as a white pearl but can look very glamorous. These can be very sought after as they’re rarer than your average white pearl. All pearls can range from very inexpensive to very lavish and pricey but they can also become heirlooms that you will cherish and then pass onto future generations. Pearls hold sentimental value and hold their monetary value if they’re well looked after. 

Caring for your precious pearls is not difficult and many pearl distributors will provide a protective pouch along with your purchase. If the don’t, you need a protective case or pouch for them.

It is best not to simply put your pearls into a jewel box because they can be easily scratched and lose their lustre when you rummage through the box. The best advice for preserving your pearls is to carefully put them away between each use in a case or pouch that keeps them separate from other jewellery. 

Black pearls can be from fresh water or they can come from saltwater. They can be natural and they can also be cultured. They can be found in many shapes, sizes and grades. Pearls are graded as AAAA grading is rare and the most expensive and exquisite. They are also graded on their size, stringing, shape, lustre and texture. 

There are many colors and types of pearls and they can come in many shapes. Different trends and times will call for varying styles and you can never go wrong with an elegant single strand of pearls in any color including white, black, pink, silver, gold or lavender. The typical size of a pearl will range from 5 millimetres to 9 millimetres. 

In terms of necklaces, they range in sizes from collar to rope with many sizes in between. Many pearl settings exist for all types of jewels with and without other gems and pearls can range in lustre from dull to exceptional and be shaped in many categories including: round, drop, button, circle, semi-baroque and baroque.

Surface skin can be graded based on several finishes including marked to exceptional and all these features put together can determine the grading and value of your pearls. 

When buying pearls in any color, it is a good idea to look for pearls that are appraised by a professional. Some online websites that sell gemstones will advise you that they have all their jewels appraised by a certified gemmologist. This is a good thing as it helps you feel confident in your purchase. 

Whether you are buying a necklace, earrings, ring or other piece of pearl jewellery in one of the many colors including white, pink, black or silver it is a good idea to buy from someone who guarantees that you will be satisfied with your purchase and from someone with a good reputation for providing quality pearls. If you buy your black pearls from a company that specializes in pearls, you are typically going to get very good value for your money. 

If you are in the market for an Akoya pearl necklace, learning a little bit about pearls can be very useful in ensuring you get exactly what you want. Akoya pearls are originally from Japan and were the first saltwater pearls to be cultured in the early twentieth century from the Akoya oyster. 

Women love receiving gifts, especially jewellery. However, with the vast array of jewellery on offer, figuring out what to buy can seem a little daunting. 

The first thing to consider is how much you want to spend. This will determine where you shop and what kind of jewellery you are looking for - budget, mid range or high end jewellery. Once you’ve set your budget, here are a few things to consider when buying jewellery as gifts for friends or loved ones. 

Personality 

A woman’s jewellery box will often reflect her personality. If she’s conservative, then consider some classic, fine jewellery pieces in pearls, silver or gold. If she’s naturally extroverted and has a big personality, a bolder piece of contemporary statement jewellery may be more suitable. 

Style 

Think about the style of jewellery that she wears. This will give you an idea of what type of jewellery you should be looking for. If she loves things that are unique and different, then she’ll love jewellery that’s got individuality. You can be more daring and go for pieces that are different and unusual. But if she likes to follow trends, then think about the latest colours to be seen in or the latest must-have charms or styles. Look out for retailers ‘Best’ or ‘Hot Sellers’ and this will give you an idea of what are the most popular pieces. 

Occasion 

Delicate jewellery is suitable for everyday wear. Chunky, contemporary jewellery looks great for a statement piece and is fabulous for casual day wear. Sparkly gem and costume jewellery is great for special occasions such as weddings, balls, cocktail parties and generally for anyone who loves to dress up. If you know the colour of her outfit, choose something to complement it or go for something simple and neutral. 

Necklace and earring sets are a great choice if you’re not sure what goes together. 

So, remember to think about the type of jewellery she wears, the colours that she loves to wear and whether the jewellery is for a special occasion or just everyday wear. If you get really stuck, you can always just ask the lucky lady for some helpful suggestions! 

Year in and year out styles and fashion come and go. In fact, every season there is something new to be obsessed with. Though this is certainly exciting for those of us who love new and original ideas, it is also lots of fun. However, most people don’t or can’t change every single thing in their closets and accessory box every time the wind changes.

Imagine the craziness of doing that every season? It is great to update your wardrobe every so often and who doesn’t use retail therapy to cope with stress of daily life. However, when you are choosing the pieces of your collection that require a little more investment, you want them to be classics.

Everyone has certain basics and foundational articles that define their character and style. In terms of jewelry, every woman has those special treasures that she wears when she really wants to convey her uniqueness and give her outward appearance that extra special touch. 

With clothing, there are certain fundamentals that keep coming back and that rarely change. Part of their selection has to do with your comfort with your own style.

I knew a woman whose classic outfit consisted of jeans and a white button down shirt. Initially that sounds boring but she would play with jean styles and cuts as well as shirt designs. Then her jewelry and accessories dressed things up or dressed things down depending on her mood or the occasion.

Every person needs to decide what her staples are and then feel free to add the more interesting trends that appear each season.

Items like knee high boots for example were huge in various parts of the 60s and 70s and continue to evolve in their frequent resurgences. This is an item that is worth investing in, as it never goes away. 

In terms of jewelry, it can be a little harder or a little easier to choose classics depending on one thing…you. If you are one to get sick of something and lose it at the bottom of your jewelry box, you may be always chasing new trends every season.

If you are a person who enjoys being really selective in your jewelry pieces then you want to always go with designers that have an ability to create truly lasting pieces.

In this scenario, a woman with a firm grasp on her own taste and personal fashion makes her life easier when she finds an artist or jewelry designer that offers pieces that serve as classics. 

Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of body beautification. Archaeologists recently discovered 100,000 year-old Nassarius shells that were shaped into beads which are thought to be the oldest known jewellery. Jewelry is shaped out of virtually every material known and has been made to decorate virtually every body part. For example: bracelets, crowns, tiaras, pendants, rings, cuff links, earrings, necklaces, bangles, lockets, lockets, hairpins to toe rings. Jewelry is being discovered from throughout the world that has been used for showing one’s wealth and trading since man invented the bead. 

Jewelry 

For many, body jewelry is used to enhance personal beauty and as a mechanism to rise above the rest of the social pack. Only the wealthy could previously afford to purchase jewelry items and jewels. However, now days you can purchase cheaper fashionable pieces, that are mass produced using the newest technologies to ensure a reasonable price. Jewelry is an excellent way to state your heritage. People will often have several pieces of jewelry in their collections, some of which have been handed down from generation to generation and will hold great sentimental value. Chic clothing will be complimented by a piece of fine jewelry. You can also give the jewelry items as gifts to both women and men, because they are so neutral and go with a large type and style of clothing. 

Jewelry is something used for beautification, sometimes they are universally symbolic symbols like wedding bands, engagement rings and crosses. Jewelry items are fragile and should be treated with care. If jewelry items are broken or damaged, they can usually be fixed by your local jeweller. The cost of repairs will differ depending on the item and what damage was caused. If you misplaced a high quality diamond from a ring, bracelet, necklace or other dress piece, the cost of replacement could be extremely high. Jewelry items are often sold on the high street well in excess of 300 % of the cost price. Buying jewelry online is the best way to purchase designer items at a reduced price. 

A pearl earring is a classic cute piece of jewelry for women of all ages. Pearl earrings are unique and wonderful gift for yourself or someone special in your life. Simple pearl earrings can be the perfect accent to a wonderful business suit or evening attire. The right matching pearl earrings can be worn on casual occasions or the dressiest of occasions depending on the style and type of jewelry and your individual taste and fancy. Buying pearl earrings is not merely about finding the most expensive item on sale but it must match your outfit and your taste. Classic stud pearl earrings lend a simple elegance to an ornate gown, while simple gowns may go very well with dangle pearl earrings.

Since pearl earrings come in wide range of prices and colors, pearl earrings have become very much affordable. Pearls come in a variety of colors, the most traditional and popular are white and black but with wide array of various other colors - pink, peach, golden etc available, women now have the luxury of multiple choices. Perfect peal earrings with matching pearl necklace is the perfect buy or as a gift for your loved ones and has always been the preferred choice of many women. Pearls are subtle in colors but quite alluring and are always in fashion. As compare to diamond or gold earrings, pearl earrings are not heavy on budget and are very much affordable.

Pearl earrings are made with selective quality pearls of various types such as freshwater pearls, akoya or seawater pearls, Tahitian pearls and South seawater pearls. Each one of these types of pearls lends their own charm and sophistication in a pair of pearl earrings. Depending upon age and color of one’s skin, woman may choose small to medium or large pearl size for a set of pearl earrings. Gold and silver posts are used when making pearl earrings.

It is very important to take care of pearl earrings and pearl jewelry as pearls being natural gems are very much prone to light, dust and heat. Often wipe off with soft cloth before storing and keep pearl jewelry separately from other types of jewelry to avoid rubbing. It also helps keep the luster bright and shinning.

Currently, trend and fashion of pearl jewelry are often changing from one season then to another in a year. The changes look a little similar with that of costume fashion. It seems to be very hard to predict what is the coming trend or fashion. But it is not an absolute fact, as we have learned why do the customers buy a pear jewelry and what pearl jewelry is the favorite of different customers 

For answers to the above questions, some mental or psychological motives of purchase must be further concerned about, i.e. what are Pearl jewelry consumer thinking? How can the designer seize the ideas and lead them to a new tide? 

Then some hints and clues of design affected pearl jewelry trend are still able to be found from the following factors: 

Value: Many people have a popular idea that pearls, as one sort of gemstones can be used to keep value for long time. Moreover, high social status of a VIP may be balanced by a jewelry piece of luxury, elegance and dignity to some extent. That kind of value style of pearl jewelry lasts for ever. 

Personality: When people are always getting sick of an old style, they hope for a completely fresh one. They also like to make themselves great different from others while they are choosing a pearl jewelry. They just want to find a unique and novelty piece reflecting their personality and lifestyle. 

Commemoration: Birth, marriage and death are naturally essential to the course of a man’s life. His or her birth or birthday should be honored by a jewelry gift. Furthermore, promise ring and wedding necklace can witness the romance of a man and a woman’s love and marriage. When an old man has known his last days before he pass away, he likes to leave something wishful to his children. Also, a man may have some successful moments that worth memory. In such cases, Pearl jewelry should play as meaningful or precious souvenir. That kind of meaning may be source of inspiration for pearl jewelry design. 

Aesthetical appealing: It is nature that people are pursuing beauty. Especially, the female are really sensitive to their images or impression that they give to the public or the male. So that pretty pearl jewelry is simply a feminine pet to enhance charming. Morality: Sometimes people may be little puzzle with new changes of future life. Moral tradition, as product of history, must be rethought to be a guide, although it may have been missed or ignored for a long time. 

That is what ideas occur to the designer, a new trend or fashion is coming. 

A blossoming romance - purity and fragrance When a new trend can cater for customer’s demand, it will lead a fashion or tide. It requires that the elements of fashion must be derived from customer’s metal pursuit. The elements of fashion may come from the classic style, and then something new be added to them. They can also be a combination or compromise of traditional elements and up-to-date ones. 

In times of peace and development, more or less, the world has departed from war and disaster. Love, great or selfish, is inevitably a thesis of life. But modern sex revolution has set much unrest to true love, and purity should be called on back for love. Permanently, purity is a sound promise for love and marriage. Thus Pearl jewelry like pearl ring that comes out with a pure and holy tone will gain mother, girl and lady’s favor again. 

Stressed and depressed urban dwellers are yearning towards nature. Of pearl jewelry, fragrant make or figure of living creatures can be created by precious metal piece with more exquisite modern crafts. The natural things enlighten the designer’s idea, then customer’s needs. Feminine purity and natural fragrance are combined into a blossoming romance. Here comes/ forecasts a possible new trend for pearl jewelry. 

The highest quality cultured pearl necklaces are those produced and created by Mikimoto. These pearls are known for their unparalleled beauty and brilliance. It is said that once you wear Mikimoto pearls, any other kind of pearl will seem second-rate. Mikimoto pearls are so refined in quality that its fans include the royal families of Britain and Japan, Marilyn Monroe and Monaco’s Princess Grace. 

Here are some information on what Mikimoto cultured pearls are, where they came from and how to buy them. 

How pearls are formed A pearl is the result of an oyster or mollusks’ reaction to an irritant that invades its shell. To try to protect itself, the mollusk secretes a crystalline substance called nacre which builds up in layers upon layers, surrounding the irritant. When this happens, a pearl is born. 

Pearls have been cultured for centuries not just in Japan, but in other countries as well. Much of the products result to semispherical pearls, also called mabe pearls from the oyster that grew them, and not in the more coveted spherical pearls. It was Kokichi Mikimoto who developed a special technique to induce oysters to create a round pearl. 

The man behind the name Cultured pearls as we know them, owe a lot to Kokichi Mikimoto, the man who perfected the pearl culturing method that is still used today. Contrary to popular belief, he did not invent the industry although he did play a very significant role in advancing the techniques which contributed to the improvement in cultured pearl quality. 

Mikimoto, the son of a noodle restaurant owner, was born in 1885 in Toba City, Japan. He was first introduced to pearls when he started raising oysters. Around this time, Japan was already trading pearls with other countries and pearl oysters were in danger of becoming over-harvested. Mikimoto decided to concentrate on experiments in seeding oysters and producing pearls. 

The first endeavors were failures. Mikimoto and his colleagues repeatedly encountered disappointing results, due in part to uncontrollable factors like water temperature and red tide. But this did nothing to dissuade Mikimoto from his dream. 

His efforts paid off eventually. On July 11, 1893, with his wife Ume, he discovered a beautiful pearl in one of his oysters. He never looked back since. By the time he died in 1954, the highly honored Mikimoto had successfully advocated and promoted cultured pearls and opened markets all over the world. Today, his name is synonymous to the highest quality cultured pearls. 

Buying your Mikimoto pearl necklace Pearl necklaces come in several lengths. From the shortest to the longest, they are: collar (10″-13″), choker (14″-16″), princess (18″-20″), matinee (20″-24″), opera (28″-34″) and rope (37″ and longer). The length of the pearl necklace will depend on the woman’s age, body composition and neck size, although an 18 to 24-inch pearl necklace is a good length for anyone. Generally speaking, the longer the necklace, the more it ‘elongates’ the neck. 

The mark of “M” Every jewelry created by Mikimoto including pearl necklaces, has an “M” stamped on its setting. This is a guarantee of quality. However, in some cases, the mark of “M” will only guarantee that the setting is genuine and not the pearls, which can be replaced and restrung. 

A caveat: there is a black market for Mikimoto clasps, where original Mikimoto clasps are used for cheaper or imitation-quality pearls. Beware also of ‘closeout’ Mikimoto sales, even if they come in ‘new’ 18k gold. 

The best way to distinguish a true high-quality Mikimoto pearl from other pearls is to look for a unique road map or line pattern on the surface of the pearls under a 10x magnifying lens. Experienced jewelers can recognize this. On your own, you will want to find genuine Mikimoto pearls to compare with your intended purchase. Once you see the difference, true Mikimoto pearls are easily recognizable. 

You might also encounter pearl necklaces that are labeled ‘Mikimoto quality’. This is misleading. These are not pearls produced under the patented Mikimoto process. True Mikimoto pearl necklaces are those produced under stringent conditions in Ise in Honshu, Japan. 

Akoya vs. Mikimoto Another fine quality pearl is akoya pearls, although this is a general term used to refer to saltwater pearls. These are not Mikimoto pearls and they don’t cost the same. 

Grading method Mikimoto pearls are rated using four grades, with AAA being the highest. There are 4 sub-grades starting with AAA1. Highest-grade pearls are those with the best luster and reflective quality, almost mirror-like, while lower-grade pearls are those with reasonably clear reflection. 

When buying your Mikimoto pearl necklace, be sure to ask for grading certificates. This is not only good for insurance, but it is also a guarantee that what you are paying for is a true Mikimoto pearl necklace. 

Do you have pearls or are you thinking of getting some? Pearls have a fascinating history, so let’s look a bit closer at this popular item of jewelry.

Pearls have been worn for thousands of years. Pearl popularity reached its peak during Roman times when women of the privileged class were richly adorned with pearls. Pearls even found favor with Julius Caesar and Cleopatra dissolved a pearl in wine and drank it to prove her love to Marc Antony. The Roman general Vitellius is said to have financed an entire military campaign by selling just one of his mother’s pearl earrings.

The Persian Gulf was one of the main sources of natural pearls for centuries. Venezuela and Panama became pearl sources when they were discovered by Christopher Columbus and Vasco de Balboa.

The demand for pearls dropped when diamonds were discovered in the early 1700s. The demand for diamonds soared as they became more affordable than pearls.

Pearls also lost some of their attraction due to imitations and poor quality. This led to worldwide decline in pearl consumption. However, in the late 1700s, they gained ground again when new pearl sources were discovered. By the early 1900s, three Japanese men — Kokichi Mikimoto, Tokichi Nishikawa and Tatsuhei Mise — had independently discovered the secret of culturing pearls.

Kokichi Mikimoto bought out the rights of the other two and started a huge business of pearl culturing. To this day it retains the name ‘Mikimoto’ and is the premier brand of Japanese Saltwater cultured Akoya pearls.  Mikimoto is reputed to have swallowed two pearls every day of his life from the age of twenty to maintain and improve his health.

The Chinese have also used pearls medicinally for thousands of years. The appearance of cultured pearls on the world markets caused the demise of natural pearls. Though it took many years for cultured pearls to be accepted they now account for over 95% of the world’s production. Only a few Middle Eastern countries still have a preference for natural pearls today.

Before the creation of cultured pearls in the early 1900s, natural pearls were rare and expensive, available only to royalty and the very rich. With growth of cultured pearls, the price of pearls has generally decreased.The name Margarita means ‘pearls’. Other names such as Margaret, Peggy, Marjorie, Margot, Maggie, Gretchen, Gretal and Rita also mean ‘pearl’ which signifies purity, innocence, humility and sweetness.